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As audiences shift to on-demand, Smart TV platforms are becoming the new front line for content engagement. To stay ahead, media companies are expanding their reach across leading ecosystems like LG webOS, Tizen, and Android TV. But it’s not just about being present — it’s about crafting tailored, high-performance experiences for each platform. We’ll take a deeper dive into the intricacies in this webOS TV app development guide.
Key takeaways:
Demand for developers who know how to create great LG Smart TV apps continues to grow, especially as more businesses invest in webOS TV app development to reach viewers directly in their living rooms.
Industry data backs the shift:
If you’re exploring LG TV app development or looking to develop for webOS TV, now is the time. Investing in LG webOS TV app development means tapping into a growing user base and delivering a native experience that feels right at home on the big screen.
LG Electronics continues to be a major player in the global Smart TV market. LG holds a 15.2% revenue share of the global TV market, ranking second after Samsung and followed by TCL and Hisense4. However, in the premium segment — particularly OLED TVs — LG leads with a 52.4% global market share, maintaining its position as the top OLED TV brand for the 12th consecutive year5.
LG’s webOS platform powers a vast ecosystem of Smart TVs, offering a seamless user experience across a wide range of devices. With over 120 million devices operating in more than 150 countries, LG provides a strong foundation for developers exploring LG Smart TV app development, webOS TV app development, and broader LG TV app development strategies.
For businesses looking to develop for webOS TV, LG offers comprehensive technical support and monetization opportunities through its marketplace. The platform’s reach, performance, and design flexibility make LG webOS TV app development a future-ready choice for brands aiming to stand out in the OTT space.
Originally developed by Palm as a Linux-based mobile operating system, webOS was acquired by LG in 2013 and has since evolved into a leading platform for Smart TVs.
LG smart TV
webOS natively supports the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol. While MPEG-DASH is not officially supported, there is limited compatibility for Video on Demand (VOD) streams in practice. Regarding Digital Rights Management (DRM), webOS is compatible with PlayReady and Widevine Modular. Notably, Widevine Classic has been deprecated starting from webOS TV 236.
webOS supports a variety of image formats, including JPEG, PNG, BMP, and WebP. This flexibility allows developers to utilize diverse image types in their applications.
For Full HD models, webOS supports video playback at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 (2K). Ultra HD models support resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 (4K), and select models offer 8K resolution support. The platform accommodates various video codecs, including H.264, HEVC, VP9, and AV1, ensuring high-quality playback across different content types7.
LG continues to innovate with its Smart TV offerings. Recent models, such as those running webOS 6.0, are equipped with enhanced hardware capabilities, including increased RAM and advanced processors, to support demanding applications and deliver smooth user experiences.
Thus, earlier Smart TV models were running on webOS 4 with 1GB RAM. WebOS 5 improved to 1.1GB RAM and the webOS 6, has 1.3GB. Although, these upgrades may not be as impressive as Samsung Tizen’s evolution from 1 GB RAM in Tizen OS 4 to 4 GB RAM in Tizen OS 5 and 6.
Beyond Smart TVs, webOS extends its reach to digital signage, smart appliances, wearables, robotics, and automotive systems. This versatility showcases webOS’s adaptability and LG’s commitment to creating a cohesive and interconnected ecosystem.
Developers can leverage LG’s AI ThinQ technology within webOS to enhance their applications. Features include automatic audio and picture quality adjustments, voice-controlled navigation, and real-time notifications for events such as sports updates. Furthermore, LG Smart TVs can function as control hubs for other smart home devices, facilitating content sharing and integrated home automation.
We’ll build the architectural backbone to translate complex streaming requirements into an intuitive TV experience that keeps pace with your LG webOS vision.
Tap into Oxagile’s LG TV app development services to bypass any bottlenecks and launch faster.
To get a better understanding of how webOS works from the inside, take a look at its main tech features and app development peculiarities.
Within the webOS framework, LG TV developers can build applications using JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3. The operating system supports TV WebAPI, Luna Service API, and webOSTV.js to provide essential services and functionalities. As of March 2025, LG has released webOS TV SDK v10.0.0, which includes the updated webOS CLI v3.2.0 and webOS TV Simulator v1.4.1.
Notably, previous tools such as the webOS TV CLI and the webOS TV Extension for VS Code have been deprecated and replaced by the new webOS CLI and webOS Studio, respectively. For streamlined application debugging, LG offers the Developer Mode App, facilitating easier installation, debugging, and testing by connecting the TV and PC8.
WebOS TV apps are renowned for their simple and clear design, enhanced by a consistent, immersive, and customizable UI. The design philosophy emphasizes spaciousness, minimal clutter, and effortless screen navigation.
To enhance user experience, LG provides the Magic Remote Control, enabling mouse-like navigation, voice command management, and seamless integration with other smart home devices.
After completing the app development process, testing becomes crucial. Given the diversity of smart TV devices, fragmentation poses challenges during this phase.
One advantage of developing apps on webOS is access to the Developer Mode App, which simplifies app installation, debugging, and testing by establishing a connection between the TV and PC. This tool requires the TV and PC to be on the same network and an LG Developer site account for authentication9.
Aligned with its commitment to simplicity, webOS offers a straightforward app submission process comprising three steps: First, register your app in IPK format at the LG Seller Lounge. Next, the evaluation team reviews the application to ensure it meets quality standards.
Upon approval, the app becomes available on the LG Content Store. Developers are required to submit additional documentation, including a UX scenario and a self-checklist, to facilitate the review process10.
LG TV webOS continues to be a powerful avenue for media companies and content providers seeking to grow their audience and diversify distribution. With its intuitive design, robust developer ecosystem, and expanding global reach, webOS offers a future-proof foundation for the development of high-performing Smart TV apps.
Whether you’re launching a brand-new product or scaling an existing one to new platforms, developing for webOS TV opens the door to millions of connected viewers worldwide — on a platform designed for quality, consistency, and innovation.
Our team at Oxagile has years of experience building smart TV apps. We know what works and can apply best practices to deliver a seamless experience across all devices and models.
1. Statista — OTT Video Market Revenue Forecast
2. Verified Market Research — Smart TV Apps Market
3. Smart TV Market Segmentation by type (based on operating system/platform) — Data Insights Consultancy
4. LG Electronics takes second place in Q3 2025, with its revenue share being 15.2% — The Economic Times
5. LG Newsroom — LG Leads Global OLED TV Market for 12th Consecutive Year
6. LG webOS TV Developer — Streaming Protocols & DRM
7. LG webOS TV Developer — Video & Audio Specifications
8. webOS TV Developer — SDK Release Notes
9. webOS TV Developer — App Testing with Developer Mode App
10. webOS TV Developer — App Approval Process
Before you initiate an LG Smart TV app development project, consider using the official APIs (TV WebAPI, Luna Service API, webOSTV.js) and the latest SDK version to ensure the app is optimized and compatible with various devices. For design and UX/UI, take into account the viewing distance and the convenience of navigation with a remote control.
During the testing phase, you may face fragmentation, so using a tool like the Developer Mode App for debugging is essential. The final step is TV app submission, which requires registering in the LG Seller Lounge and approval by the LG team.
Software engineers commonly face fragmentation challenges, such as different webOS versions, hardware variations, screen sizes and formats, and regional settings, all of which complicate the testing process. The Developer Mode App helps simplify debugging directly on the TV.
Choosing the right set of tools is one of the keys to boosting and maintaining high performance. Use the latest technologies (JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3) to ensure the app’s stability and rely on services such as TV WebAPI, Luna Service API, webOSTV.js to work directly with TV functions. The newest webOS TV SDK can also help with debugging before release on TV, while the Developer Mode App enables bug fixing directly on the TV.
The architecture should separate the user interface, business logic, and media handling to create a stable, maintainable app. When developing for webOS TV step by step, use HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript with the Enact framework for a smooth, consistent UI and optimize app performance by reducing memory use, minimizing background tasks, and keeping the app lightweight. Pay attention to navigation patterns and remote control input to match webOS standards and test your app thoroughly on all supported LG TV models, handle found errors, and check that your app complies with content, security, and accessibility guidelines defined by LG’s app review process.
Then submit the app through the LG Seller Lounge. During the evaluation process, a tech team on LG’s side reviews the application. If something is off, additional documentation may be required or a list of fixes to work on gets returned. If everything is good, the app gets approved for publishing on the LG Content Store.
